₦airaland Forum

TheSuperNerd:
Wow... So you even sabi him name. I never got to k kW the name of the man who said it but now I know. As in eh... I always heard that on radio... Loolll

But this is tragic. So he died months after Ghana lost that game? Chaaaiiii... More reason why we should be careful of what we profess. Sometimes, what we say may turn out to be a self-fulfilling prophesy.

They called him King Richard on that show. He was an equivalent of Mamadou of Soccer Africa on Super sports then(i never missed this one also).

BBC Africa sports was the bomb then. People hardly missed it.

TheSuperNerd:
Sir Fabyom... abeg don't quit the thread ooooo.... Haahahahahahahaha.... Na adrenaline rush of excitement (I wonder what mood you were in that day) make you drop that bold comment. England were always the favorites but I was convinced we would give them a good game. I predicted a 2-2 draw with a few days to the game when discussing with my buddies but alas we fell a bit short of that.

Abeg no quit the thread. lol... Just next time don't be like that fan from Ghana who once famously said...

"If Ghana loses, I will cut off my head"


When growing up as a kid I used to hear that comment a lot on Sports radio Brila FM Lagos. looollll

Haha "when Ghana loses, I will cut off my head". That was the comment of Richard Kotie of BBC Africa sport during the build up to the game between Ghana and Uganda, 2004 AFCON qualifiers.
I never missed that show on BBC every night in the early 2000s from 8-9 pm( I think). Ghana lost that game and didn't qualify. I think Richard Kotie died a couple of months later. He was popularly called King Richard

tbaba1234:
Brazil-Croatia stats.

Where was the game played?

Modified : I dig it is at Anfield.

Humility017:
Bro....I have reduced my expectation on this team.....
let it know.....that the coaches poor judgement cost us should we fail @ the mundial.....

the kind of coach rohr is....is a kind of manager that will see club all through from championship to the epl and refuse to get in New players into his squad all because of loyalty...he will stick to the old boys who brought the club out from relegation...even when some of them have lost it...and that will eventually cost him his job.....

I just feel for him...probably these was abit reasons why he has never been too successful as a manager....and even the Nigeria coaches working with him have little reasonable input.

Oga, calm down.

There is no cause for alarm.

Were you expecting us to beat England at Wembley?

You think we are on the same level as Brazil, Spain or Germany? Cos it is only such countries that can get a result against England at Wembley. Brazil even played a draw there. So relax.

That England game was as tough as it can get.

Playing Croatia in Russia cannot be as difficult as playing England at Wembley. Take that from me.

And let me encourage you not to lose hope in these guys. I have seen so many Nigerian teams at the WC and I have seen so many of Nigeria's preparatory games for the WC. I know what I am talking about.

A lot of people here know me as very conservative with my expectations on our players. So when I say "I have hope on these guys" I must have seen enough to have hopes on them.

ChrisKels:
So na today I begin clamor for Azu abi?

This message is ridiculous

So then don't criticise those calling for the inclusion of Ajagun, K. Nwakali and Kayode.

ChrisKels:
Egbe onu. Oga ur Onazi say make u face ur palm

I don't think u love Azubuike Okechukwu more than I do but calling for his inclusion after yesterday's match is completely out of place.

nelszx:
Final 23

Not surprised that Aina and Agu didn't make it.

goldfish80:
I practice what I preach. I dont believe in after thoughts as you can see for yourself

OK, I see

Kog45:
Yes no convincing performance from Aina,still young,hope he comes good in future.

Good we involved him in the build ups. He has a future in the team if he continues working hard.

goldfish80:
It was football malpractice by Rohr to start Moses last night after just one training session with the team. Musa should have started while Moses came in to see out the game in the last 15-20 mins. That is how professionals work.

I am sure if Rohr had done what you just suggested you will still be among those that will question why Rohr started Musa ahead of Moses. Why didn't you make the suggestion before the match?


We are always quick to provide alternatives after the did is done.

ChrisKels:
So una eye dun dey open abi, I have always maintained that Azubuike Okechukwu is a better player than those pretenders but tbaba1234 and Icon4s were against me for saying that. Im just Happy u guys are now seeing what Michael and I saw ages ago.

Azubuike made our midfield thick at the Olympics and he has been the best midfielder amongst our midfield contingents that ply their trade in the Turkish league.

Agu and Onazi are bench warmers in this same league, yet they are always picked ahead of Azu Okey by Rohr. For reasons best known to him, he also prefers those two to Esiti and Agbo. Just smh bkus Rohr is gradually losing my confidence KPOM

And what has Azubuike got to do with this now?

This is senior football abeg. Even Etebo that was the hit man of that class is also struggling in this team.

chilex9:
All you shouting for Ighalo..
If that ball nor hit bar.....enter post and the goal was his...una for dey praise am....see the tight angle he took the shot....
Come on na

Oga, nearly cannot kill a goat. His goals return has been terribly poor

zuchyblink:
I suggested if Ogu could play LB. But I was almost eaten raw by some people. Yesterday Ogu played LCB almost related to LB

Show us the post where you suggested Ogu could play as LB or I don't believe you.

TheGoodJoe:
We need to stop the negative/conservative game and also learn from the three at the back defensive set-up. A defensive midfielder should be part of the defensive set-up, helping shield the defence and cover gaps created. If Onazi is not ready to sit, no need playing him there and leaving the team exposed.

We have said it here before that we would need a DM that would easily join the defense line. And that was what Ogu did today.

For us to progress from that group we will really need to compact our midfield and defense.

Oasis007:
Sorry I got this Mention late but worth replying. Ogu didn't play as a LB, rather as a LCB in a 3-Man Defence. It's Idowu that played the LB on the first Half and later played as LWB in the 2nd Half.

That 3 CB thing was probably at the later stages of the game. Ogu initially came in as a DM.

I also noticed he later went to LCB.

Good tactical switch from Rohr.

Martz101:
mr Mujtahida, if you have dignity you wont even talk about this...you said we should keep moses on the bench until mikel get injured that he can't play from the wings

i told you 4-2-3-1 formation don't need the wingers to play as orthodox winger and can actually contain 3 number 10, i sighted arsenal and iwobi,ozil,mihkh.

iwobi proved me right today, because he played from the right and drift in, you lost my respect for going back to this today

Mikel played 10 today and was bellow par, mikel covered his ass and that was what me and icon04 was talking about

Oga, I am icon4s and not icon04.

Your analysis is spot on.

Over all, a good performance from our boys.

The second half performance shows we can play if we want to.

The switch in both personnel and set up in the midfield changed the complexity of the game.

The midfield was so porous and uncoordinated in the first half.

What changed?

Change of personel: introduction of Etebo and Ogu for Joel and Onazi.
Change of set up: The team switched to 2 blocking 4: Ogu focusing more on the left side, providing cover for Idowu while Etebo teamed up with Ebuehi at the right. With Etebo also playing the box to box role.

Another coup was the continuous switch in position between Mikel and Iwobi. I saw Iwobi go central for Mikel to go to the RW. I saw Iwobi go to the flanks for Mikel to play from the Central AM position. At other time Iwobi played in the CM position just behind Mikel. Iwobi has highlighted his importance in our 2018 WC campaign. His versatility and creativity is such an asset to the team and this must be maximised. He is definitely a starter!

For those that underate the importance of midfield play, this game has shown how important a compact and co-ordinated midfield can yield results.

I am not disappointed.

We played England at Wimbley. I am sure we can beat them in Uyo. Hahaha

The way Rohr set up the midfield for the second half should be how we should set up against Croatia.

tbaba1234:
They are wearing the light green jersey, it seems.. This is Awaziem posted from the dressing room.

OK. Maybe England will wear their away Red top then.

comodo:
Oga Rohr no bring ur A game oh. Reserve so surprises for Croatia.

Nops, we need to start building up momentum from this game. The players should bring their A game but must also avoid injuries.

MetalJigsaw:
Kenya vs New Zealand ongoing which team do you think is stronger?

New Zealand of course.

Nigeria likely to put on the away dark Green jerseys today as the England home jerseys are white on navy blue shorts or all white.

somehow:
Ah, we need him in that match o, Croatia is blessed with great midfielders and we need capable hands to match them.

I hope so too.

But it is better Rohr also plans that game without him. Just in case.

Martz101:
yes, but things might change in this line before Croatia game

I don't doubt that.
But I can only base my judgement on what I have seen thus far.

somehow:
Not entirely since Ndidi wont be staRting.

At least for now.
Ndidi may not start against Croatia.

somehow:
Just as people are overlooking the contributions of Elderson out of undue dislike. He's yet to do badly for us of recent, yet alot wants him dropped just like that.

Exactly.

Sentiments.

EEGA:
But Onazi started from the Bench against Poland.

He was just recovering from injury.Besides that was a friendly.

After all Mikel hasn't started any of our recent games

Martz101:
Aina will get a chance in second half

Likely. My point is not starting him because he has a point to prove to the English fans.

Going by the starting line up we have seen here for the game, Rohr is parading his starting 11.

Martz101:
the one to iheanacho against congo.

The truth is when a pass don't translate to a goal, no one will remember

Also, the one he (Onazi) made to Iheanacho for the 4th goal against Cameroon in Uyo.

One thing here is when you don't like a player you easily over look his positive contributions.

Martz101:
is all about understand, ighalo is creative and can fall back, not like I'm advocating for it but situation might make us do it.

i remember seeing Chelsea play with morata when they desperately nees goals

Iheanacho is the best player for that role in that team. That is what he does naturally.

Yes situation may arise, but that doesn't make it a first choice option.

EEGA:
With Ndidi present Joel will still start ahead of Onazi.No mid-fielder apart from Mikel and Ndidi can keep Joel on the Bench.

Joel is up against Ndidi and Etebo(Box to box Midfield position) and not Onazi

Onazi is up against Ogu (DM position)

Mikel Agu is up against all of them. The most likely to be dropped.

Why Etebo is highly favored to make Russia is he is also back up Winger and AM.

If Simon doesn't make Russia Etebo deputises for the wingers.

cc: EEGA

asha80:
one gets the feeling rohr fancies Joel obi no matter what

Nididi is out injured so Joel is favored to start. Simple.

Mujtahida:
I pray England choke Mikel so that we can see how the whole team fares with Mikel on the pitch and yet choked up. It might help us see how to free other players especially Moses and Ighalo.

I don't expect Mikel to have it easy either. But with him we stand a better chance of breaking out and releasing the strikers.